This site on Gellert Hill was originally the observatory of the Pest Royal University but that was destroyed in 1848-49 during the Hungarian Revolution. In 1851 the Austrians had the fortress built by forced Hungarian labour so that they could survey the city and quell any further uprisings. The enormous building, 220 metres long, 4 metres in height and with 60 cannons, it must have been extremely intimidating when the Austrian soldiers moved in in 1854. They did not leave until 1889 and it was not until 1891 that the city was able to reclaim the hated fortress and demolish the walls. The Citadella was used against them again during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 when Russian troops took it over and fired down on the city from tanks. Now, it is thankfully just a wonderful spot for tourists to admire the panoramic view of the city on the Danube. On the plateau here is also the Liberty Statue, the shape of which makes some of the locals think of a bottle opener!